Joseph Karo books in order
Spanish rabbi and author on Jewish law
- Lived
- 1488–1575
- Country
- Ottoman Empire
- Books
- 3
Joseph Karo published 2 novels and 1 non-fiction book, beginning with Beit Yosef (1550).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Joseph Karo
Start here
Beit Yosef
Joseph Karo's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order
Beit Yosef (1550)
Shulchan Aruch (1565)
Non-fiction in order
Code of Hebrew Law = (1592)
About Joseph Karo
Joseph ben Ephraim Karo, also spelled Yosef Caro, or Qaro, was a prominent Sephardic Jewish rabbi renowned as the author of the last great codification of Jewish law, the Beit Yosef, and its popular analogue, the Shulhan Arukh. Karo is regarded as the preeminent halakhic authority of his time, and is often referred to by the honorific titles HaMechaber and Maran.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Joseph Karo FAQ
- How many books has Joseph Karo written?
- Joseph Karo published 2 novels and 1 non-fiction book that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Joseph Karo's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Beit Yosef.
- What is Joseph Karo's last book?
- Shulchan Aruch (1565).
- What is Joseph Karo's most famous book?
- Beit Yosef (1550) is Joseph Karo's most widely read book.
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.